Liberation Day in Jersey

We are back!  My amazing wife booked us a few days in Jersey and we are now finally back.  The children had Thursday off as the school they attend was being used as a polling station and Friday was a "Non-pupil" day so on Thursday morning we travelled down to Gatwick to fly to Jersey.  It meant that we had to wake up early in the morning but as my wife had booked a taxi we slept for part/most of the journey to the airport.  A short flight later on EasyJet and we had landed on Jersey.  We were greeted by the sun which was good as unknown to us, the weather had not been good before we arrived.  Getting our hire car was easy (a shuttle bus to a collection point using Avis) and we were on the road to the Highlands Hotel.  My wife had chosen it for its reviews on Trip Advisor as well as its outdoor heated swimming pool and although the rest of us did not know it, it was a great choice.

The hotel does not look amazing and at first the service was not warm (though even then was excellent) but it was perfect for our needs.  Other than the first few minutes the service was both warm and other than one or two very minor issues, perfect.  We were told about the Tower at the end of the hotel which allowed views of the surrounding sea as well as having a library which came in useful when the kids ran out of things to read.  They loved the binoculars and the telescope that were there and later made use of the playground which while small was on site and kept them both occupied.  While the room did not look as great as it can in other hotels, it was better in that things worked!  Too many times I have been to other places with the kids to find that the television does not work (something that my children need at times).  In addition to this, there were other things for the children to do, and they did.  Both loved the table football and while they did not get to play a game of pool, they did have a go at table tennis.

The restaurant was good though I am fussy with my tea and it was not up to the standards I expect.  Ideally I would prefer to eat dinner elsewhere on the island but they were very accommodating for our two children which is more than many places are, so both good and not quite as good there.  We did get to have dinner at the Oyster Box and that was a highly recommended experience.  While there were initial concerns about its service (our drinks took a while to arrive) after that it was as good as the meal.  One thing that stood out was the way they interacted with the children, something I do not expect in a fine dining restaurant, and offered the children a mocktail.  Little things like that are important and I would highly recommend this both for people with well behaved children as well as adults.

The beaches on Jersey were spectacular and on the first day we drove across the southern part of the island from the south west corner which was where the hotel was to the east of the island.  Along the way we did stop and went for a walk along the sea front, by son sticking to the sea wall with his mother while my daughter and I went exploring along the beach and the rock pools.  There is access to the sea at the Highlands Hotel as well, a great spot to be able to go for walks from.

Even though we went off season, there was quite a bit to do, and while I am not a fan of sea food, my daughter and wife state great sea food to eat.  And that is without discussing our trip to La Mare Wine Estate and Distillery as well as the The Channel Islands Military Museum. I do not know when we are to go back, but when or if we do, we all will be happy to do so.